Rainfall and human activity impacts on soil losses and rill erosion in vineyards (Ruwer Valley, Germany)

Abstract

Abstract. Vineyards are one of the most German conditioned eco-geomorphological systems by human activity. Precisely, the vineyards of the Ruwer Valley (Germany) is characterized by high soil erosion rates and rill problems on steep slopes (between 23–26°) caused by the increasingly frequent heavy rainfall events, what is sometimes enhanced by incorrect land use managements. Soil tillage before and after vintage, application of vine training systems and anthropic rills generated by wheel tracks and footsteps are observed along these cultivated area. The objective of this paper is to determine and to quantify the hydrological and erosive phenomena in two chosen vineyards, during diverse seasons and under different management conditions (before, during and after vintage). For this purpose, a combined methodology was applied. Investigating climatic, pedological, geomorphological and botanic-marks variables was suggested on the two experimental plot in the village of Waldrach (Trier, region of Rhineland-Palatinate). First, high infiltration rates (near 100%) and subsurface flow was detected by rainfall simulations performed at different times of the year. The second method to investigate the geomorphological response of slope inclination, two 10 m and one 30 m long rills were measured using geometrical channel cross-section index, depth and width. The highest variations (lateral and frontal movements) were noted before and during vintage, when footsteps occurred in a concentrated short time. Finally, two maps were generated of soil loss, indicated by the botanic marks on the graft union of the vines. As results 62.5 t−1 ha−1 yr−1 soil loss rate was registered (one year) on the experimental plots of the new vineyards, while 4.3 t−1 ha−1 yr−1 on the old one.

The Impact of Vineyard Abandonment on Soil Properties and Hydrological Processes

“…This problem could be considered as a limitation of the method; however, in our case, we can also demonstrate high macroporosity and high permeability (Bagarello, 1997; Nasri et al, 2015). This high macroporosity is relevant for understanding runoff generation in the study area and possible mechanisms of subsurface flow and high infiltration rates (Rodrigo Comino et al, 2015). Second, although all of the areas have high silt contents, the cultivated plot showed higher sand content and stoniness (from the backslope), which increases soil permeability and reduces overland flow (Follain et al, 2012).…”

“…Annual total average rainfall is about 765 mm, with the highest amounts during summer and the lowest from February to April. Mean annual temperatures are approximately 9°C, with maximum values during summer (16–17.6°C) and minimum in winter (<2.5°C) (Rodrigo Comino et al, 2015).…”

“…Irregular seasonal changes and spatiotemporal variability were detected in runoff generation between new and old vine plantations (Rodrigo Comino et al, 2016a). Infiltration rates near 100% in winter and high peaks of overland flow and soil erosion in summer and during the harvesting period (October–November) were also noted (Rodrigo Comino et al, 2015, 2017).…”

“…In this region, soil erosion increased due to unsuitable management. German vineyards of the Ruwer‐Mosel Valley are commonly characterized by steep slopes and silty and bare soils that are highly vulnerable to erosion as a consequence of herbicide applications and heavy machinery (Rodrigo Comino et al, 2015). Soil tillage and trampling also influence important soil properties and hydrological processes in these vineyards.…”

Quantifying the Sediment Transport Capacity in Eroding Rills Using a REE Tracing Method

“…Sloped lands are the most susceptible to water erosion, and the quantity and quality of suspended sediment yields in agricultural settings control nutrient transfer from surface runoff (Cerdà et al, 2009a;Molder et al, 2015;Slimane et al, 2015). Erosion occurs frequently in intensively cultivated sloped croplands and is potentially the dominant sediment source in many cultivated environments (Biswas et al, 2015;Cerdà et al, 2009b;Debolini et al, 2015;Rodrigo Comino et al, 2015). China has 24 million ha of sloped croplands, which account for 20% of arable land nationwide (Ministry of Water Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Engineering, 2010).…”